BOJ Independence: War of Words Sparks Words on War

The current war of words over Bank of Japan independence has prompted one veteran politician to recall the bank’s role during World War II.

Former finance minister Hirohisa Fujii made the connection between the current heated debate over government control of monetary policy and the events of the war in a speech Monday.

The chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan’s Tax Commission and three-time finance minister said the ongoing debate reminds him of the imperial government’s use of the Bank of Japan to bankroll its World War II campaign.

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